Patna: The Election Commission has announced the date for the Rajya Sabha elections, where Bihar Legislative Assembly will fill six seats under the quota system. This means there will be elections for six Rajya Sabha MPs based on the votes of the legislators. According to information released by the Election Commission, the notification for Rajya Sabha elections will be issued on February 8, with nominations starting from the same day. The last date for filing nominations is February 15, and the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on February 16. The final date for withdrawal of nominations is set for February 20. If needed, voting will take place on February 27, with the counting of votes on the same day.
End of Term for Current Members
The term of six existing Rajya Sabha members is coming to an end. Among them are two from RJD, two from JD(U), one from BJP, and one from Congress. RJD MPs Manoj Jha and Ashfaq Karim’s terms are concluding in 2024. Similarly, Congress State President Akhilesh Prasad Singh’s term is also ending. JD(U) National Vice President Vashishth Narayan Singh and Anil Hegde’s terms are set to conclude in 2024. Additionally, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi’s term is also ending this year. Sushil Modi was elected in a by-election in 2020 following the demise of Ram Vilas Paswan, resulting in a four-year term.
Focus on Sushil Modi
In 2024, the most discussed name among the Rajya Sabha MPs whose term is ending is Sushil Modi. There is speculation about whether BJP will send him back to the Rajya Sabha. Recent political dynamics suggested the possibility of Sushil Modi returning to Bihar politics after the end of his term, but now it is being said that BJP might offer him another chance in the Rajya Sabha.
Reduction in JD(U) Seats
In this Rajya Sabha election, RJD is not expected to face any loss based on the current number of legislators. The term of two RJD MPs is concluding, and they are likely to secure two seats comfortably. BJP is anticipated to benefit from the situation as one of its MPs’ term is ending, and based on the current number of legislators, it is expected to secure two seats. JD(U) is likely to suffer a setback as the terms of its MPs Vashishth Narayan Singh and Anil Hegde are ending, and based on the current number of legislators, JD(U) is projected to secure only one seat. The number of JD(U) Rajya Sabha MPs will decrease.
Challenges for Akhilesh
Congress State President Akhilesh Prasad Singh is likely to face challenges. The real challenge for him arises if not only RJD but also Left parties, CPI and CPIM, agree. There are discussions that CPI(M) may want to send its General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya to the Rajya Sabha. Bhattacharya has 12 MLAs supporting him. If he claims his stake, it could make it difficult for Congress State President Akhilesh Prasad Singh to return to the Rajya Sabha for the second time.
